Skip to section navigation Skip to main content Skip to search
Calendar of Events

Academics

Academics

Bring your 

passion

        and find your purpose.

Female student in pink sweatshirt smiles standing in library stacks

Think Wide Open isn’t just a tag line. 

It’s how we approach everything we do. 

Fifty years ago, we started a grand
experiment: to be a different kind of college.

Blending the arts, sciences, and humanities on a single campus, our goal was to create a living laboratory where students from all disciplines live and work side by side.

Where a chance meeting might lead to a new and exciting collaboration. Where creativity underlies everything. Where a fearless, do-it-yourself attitude leads to real accomplishment.

Prepare to lead a life, not simply making a living. 

Find Programs
ActingAnthropologyArt HistoryArt History (MA)Art+Design Foundations ProgramArts and Cultural Management (MA)Arts ManagementArts Management: Music IndustryArts Management: Performing ArtsArts Open Access CoursesAsian StudiesBiochemistryBiologyBiology: ConcentrationsChemistryChineseCinema and Television StudiesCollege and Expository WritingCommunicationsComposition (Classical)Contemplative StudiesCreative WritingDance PerformanceDance Performance: BalletDance Performance: CompositionDance Performance: ProductionEarly Childhood DevelopmentEconomicsEducation StudiesEnglish and Global LiteraturesEnvironmental StudiesFilmFilm/Video ProductionFrenchGender StudiesGeneral StudiesGlobal Black StudiesGlobal StudiesGraphic DesignGraphic Design: IllustrationHistoryInstrumental PerformanceInstrumental Performance: BrassInstrumental Performance: Classical GuitarInstrumental Performance: HarpInstrumental Performance: PercussionInstrumental Performance: PianoInstrumental Performance: StringsInstrumental Performance: WoodwindsItalianJazz StudiesJewish StudiesJournalismLanguage and CultureLatin American, Caribbean, and Latinx StudiesLaw and Justice StudiesLiberal ArtsLinguisticsMathematics/Computer ScienceMedia StudiesMuseum StudiesMusic MinorNew MediaPainting and DrawingPhilosophy and Critical ThoughtPhotographyPlaywritingPlaywriting and ScreenwritingPolitical SciencePre-Medical StudiesPrintmakingPsychologyScreenwritingSculptureSociologySpanishStudio CompositionStudio ProductionTelevision Theory and PracticeTheatre and PerformanceTheatre Design/TechnologyTheatre Design/Technology: Costume DesignTheatre Design/Technology: Costume TechnologyTheatre Design/Technology: Lighting DesignTheatre Design/Technology: Scenic DesignTheatre Design/Technology: Sound DesignTheatre Design/Technology: Stage ManagementTheatre Design/Technology: Technical DirectionUndeclaredVisual Arts (BS)Visual Arts Graduate ProgramsVisual Arts MinorVisual Arts, Interdisciplinary (BFA)Voice and Opera Studies

Group of students led by students in purple Purchase College sweatshirt
Nov
2

Featured Event

Fall Open House

November 2

Register Today! This immersive event features general campus tours, facilities tours, and information sessions with faculty and staff from each of the schools/conservatories, a community fair with student services offices, and optional financial aid and “how to apply” workshops.

Event Details Calendar

explore academics

Student in yellow t-shirt.
Majors and Minors
Smiling student and smiling instructor with laptop.
Academic Support
Smiling student in front of laptop in library.
Your First Year
Smiling student with computer in background.
Hands-On Learning

student experiences

Land stewardship and invasive species intern handling compost in the on-campus Purchase College garden.

Sustainability Interns

Land Stewardship and Invasive Species interns have begun work on campus in the Purchase Garden and on campus.

Learn More
Student musicians at work in the newly renovated Studio A

Spaces Where the Work Gets Done

From shops to studios to labs to theaters, peek inside the places where students spend the bulk of their time getting it done.

Inside Look
Students at work in the General Biology 1 Lab.

Top Story

Purchase Awarded Nearly $2M from USNSF

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)  grant will provide scholarships and support to 34 STEM students.

Read the Story More News

By the Numbers

  • 47

    Majors

  • #8

    Top Public Schools
    (U.S. News and World Report)

  • 87%

    Of 2024 graduates who participated in applied or experiential learning

  • 92%

    Of 2024 Graduates Employed, Enrolled in Grad or Professional School, or Both

  • 18

    Average Class Size

  • 12:1

    Student to Faculty Ratio

headshot of Adam Nagourney

Proof of Purchase

Adam Nagourney ’77

Author and reporter Adam Nagourney (Economics) covers West Coast cultural affairs for The New York Times.

He was previously the Los Angeles bureau chief and served eight years as the chief national political correspondent. He is the co-author of Out for Good, a history of the modern gay rights movement.

Meet Adam

Alumni Profiles

Latest Stories

New student in jeans and black cutoff tshirt leaps in the air.

Purchase Named a Top Ten Public School

The college holds the #8 spot on US News and World Report’sTop Public Schools list among National Liberal Arts Colleges for 2026.

Students presenting research at SURC.

Seniors Present Research at Statewide Conference

Congratulations to two seniors in political science who presented their research at the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC) 2025 at Binghamton University.

Melissa Rodriguez and Jamie Simiele

“Wild Animals” Horror Short Premieres at Woodstock Film Festival

The film, produced by Lecturer in Communications Melissa Rodriguez ’13 with Jamie Simiele ’26 as production coordinator, will screen Oct. 18.